u/Golden_fsh

Kina-bros, sisters, and relatives, I think the time is near for us to say our goodbyes 😭

For weeks, I've been ignoring the doomposting about Kinato's Magic getting axed due to its constant low rankings but I'm mentally preparing myself for the worst outcome. I also don't think the reprint of volume 1 will sell enough to keep it afloat. It's not my first time going through an abruptly cut series but some rushed endings are handled better than others.

What would be the ideal or least rushed ending for you if Kinato's Magic does not make it past chapter 30? Would you want the big bad to make an appearance or a rematch with Noise? For me, I wouldn't mind an ending similar to The Mage Next Door where there's a battle with a strong villain but it's still open ended enough that new adventures could happen. A rematch with Noise can let us see Kinato's growth as a character, although miniscule. I wouldn't want a flash forward to Kinato being one of the highest ranked guild members but maybe ending it with him going up at least a rank, thus signaling the start of his journey (that we'll never see, lol). Maybe an all-team battle with the Iron fangs so we can see them one last time?

At least there are fewer loose threads to tie up since there hasn't been much of an overarching plot thus far.

Holy shit! Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles, Tales, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts reveals all in the same direct?? I'm so happy 😭

EDIT: Also need to add a new Atelier game and DQ! And Metaphor ReFantazio for folks who haven't played yet! On top of all of this, P4 Revival, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, and a P6 teaser. Let's make sure we stay alive to witness all of this greatness, friends!

After visiting r/manga and r/WeeklyShonenJump these last few weeks, it surprises me to see people hate on Kinato's Magic? Yeah, it isn't doing anything groundbreaking but it's a nice, light-hearted adventure story with nice characters and art. I'm a bit bummed about Kinato's support abilities being cast to the wayside and the encroaching fan service is annoying. However, I find the story still interesting enough to continue! It's always a great read in my Sunday rotation that's already stacked (always my 2nd read after Kagurabachi).

I think this arc with the Majo clan will make or break the series depending on how the conflict happens and is resolved.

If people can handle generic ass Black Clover for dozens of chapters before it became decent, they can do the same for Kinato's Magic, lol.

This might be a hot take, but I found the ending of CS3 to be more emotional and impactful than the ending of Horizon. Although Horizon definitely had the higher stakes, unfortunately the investment into what was happening was just not there for me.

In CS3, there was great build up until the finale with the Emperor getting shot, Branch campus vs. Thors, and the gauntlet run down the Grail of Erebos to save Altina and stop the Great Twilight. Although the dungeon grind of the Grail was rather annoying, it was still fun to see the strength of our beloved Class VII as they faced off some of the strongest people in the arc. For some, these battles tied in character development that's been cooking since CS1. I also like how OG Class VII made way so that New Class VII and Rean can make it to the depths of the Grail. This is later paralleled in CS4 when New Class VII is trying to save Rean from the Black Workshop. Then there's everything that happened with the Courageous blowing up, Millium sacrificing herself, and Rean losing it just for the screen to abruptly cut to black that really highlighted the emotional high of the moment. I remember having legit tears in my eyes as the credits roll with Mourning Refrain.

And then there's Horizon's finale. ASO is rushing back to Edith to get answers from Agnès and Dominique and there's this sense of urgency that Agnès could be in danger. But up until that point, nothing gave me the impression that she was in danger or at risk of danger from the President's office as they prepared for the rocket launch. Especially with Renne by her side. So why did ASO feel that way? I'm open to other people's thoughts on this! Then we're sneaking around to save them and of course Renne is just chilling. We make it to the rather boring underground dungeon where we get random lore drop from Mirabel as we fight her for reasons, then off to face Gramheart and Kasim and of course the remnants of Almata cannot stay dead.

Throughout all of this, I feel like the intention was there to create a scenario similar to CS3 where the heroes are rushing to save their friend (Agnès) and stop the bad thing from happening (rocket launch); however, Horizon lacked the emotional pull to make it just as impactful, imo. This is probably a result from how lackluster Van's entire route has been up until this point of the game due to the obvious lack of communication between the three teams so that there is content for a Horizon 2. Van's route always brought the momentum down from where the other two routes ended and unfortunately we still see that happen in the finale...at least until the space stuff. Part of it is also because I feel like I'm not emotionally invested into ASO as a whole because a lot of their individual development is lackluster or being dragged out for the sequel (sorry Feri, Risette, Judith, and Quatre).

The space stuff with Emilia was pretty cool, and René's heel turn was surprising but fun. Then there's Agnès' Aerith moment. Imo, the moment was rather weak because you had the other character's tie her actions to Van's rejection of her confession which totally diminishes this pivotal character moment for Agnès. I also didn't understand how this was an example of Agnès being sneaky or cunning because...she didnt tell them about Hamilton's plan? Because she wore her school uniform to get rejected? There's also a touch of hypocrisy regarding the moment but I understand the nuance of what Agnès did is different to what Van did in DB1.

Any emotional investment I could have in the moment is also dampened by my knowledge that I know without a doubt that there will be no lingering consequences because this is Trails. Also, Van will somehow be blamed or feel guilty for what happened in effort to push the love story even though he shouldn't. Maybe this is me just feeling tired of the Trails formula but Horizon's ending did not hit for me in the same way that CS3 did despite having a similar high stake scenario.

I *am* very interested in everything as it relates to the loops, Laegjarn's Chest, Grendel Shaddai, and the three vestiges at the end. I'm also looking forward to seeing the implications of how Rean and Kevin's routes ended. But the emotional impact of the ending? I wish more was done earlier in the game or in this arc for the emotional payout to feel earned.

Anyone else feel the same but maybe for different reasons? People who felt emotionally impacted by CS3's ending, did you feel the same for Horizon? Why did Horizon's ending resonate so strongly for some of you?